I needed to run back to the carriage or to the wide-open entry of Blaren House.
Something kept pulling me, but I wasn’t moving.
That open door was all I could see. I hoped that one of the Wilkinsons remained. Someone who knew Adam.
“This isn’t a good time to visit, Ruth. Can’t you see that?”
I heard my sister. I heard her fear, but all I could focus on was a door and the truth.
Volcano me, dragon me, wild child me, ran. I moved faster and faster to Blaren House’s entry.
I heard my name but kept heading to that doorway.
On the first step, someone bumped me and sent me spinning.
But I had to get inside. I pushed up the next step. Getting inside was all I wanted.
Another man knocked me. My glasses flew as I went down.
My neck hit first then my head bounced on the limestone.
The impact knifed through me.
Sharp sensations shredded every muscle.
In my eyes, colors and darkness struggled for control.
The panic had me. It was winning. I prayed not to faint, for the pain to stop, for darkness to leave me alone.
“Ruth!”
Ester? I should fight for her, but I couldn’t move.
A big blur stood over me.
Did he whisper something?
Did he say my name?
A roughened palm scooped beneath my neck. He cradled it then caressed my jaw.
The blur hoisted me onto his shoulder. “Ah! The bed wench I ordered is here!”
The boast gutted.
My temples exploded as I flailed down his back. My face slammed into a hardened backside.
I couldn’t yell. Couldn’t beat on his big legs. Darkness had me.
“Put my sister down!”
Headstrong volcano me had brought trouble onto my sister.
Aching, I succumbed to the inky blackness. It swallowed me whole.
Chapter Seven
This Woman
